Construction kits for toys and models

ABSTRACT

A construction kit for toys comprises a plurality of components for fitting together in various ways. One component is in the form of a hollow cube open on one, and only one face, having projections on some faces and recesses on the other faces, adapted for frictional interengagement. Half-cube components may be provided for sliding into said cubic components. Other components comprise a flat sheet with upstanding projections, and a flat sheet with recesses, adapted for engagement respectively with recesses and projections of cubic components: a like flat sheet with integral guide or rail means: and a like flat plate with legs extending perpendicular thereto.

' [72] Inventor 2,861,388 11/1958 Fauaretto United States Patent RoyPerry Woollett Apsley Mead, Cocking, Midhurst, England [21] Appl. No.802,550

[22] Filed Feb. 26, 1969 [45] Patented May 4, 1971 [54] CONSTRUCTIONKITS FOR TOYS AND MODELS 3,148,477 9/1964 Bjorn etal. 46/25 FOREIGNPATENTS 694,198 9/1964 Canada 46/16 Primary Examiner-Louis G. ManceneAssistant E.raminerD. L. Weinhold Attorney-Young & Thompson ABSTRACT: Aconstruction kit for toys comprises a plurality of components forfitting together in various ways. One component is in the form of ahollow cube open on one, and only one face, having projections on somefaces and recesses on the other faces, adapted for frictionalinterengagement. Half-cube components may be provided for sliding intosaid cubic components. Other components comprise a flat sheet withupstanding projections, and a flat sheet with recesses, adapted forengagement respectively with recesses and projections of cubiccomponents: a like flat sheet with integral guide or rail means: and alike flat plate with legs extending perpendicular thereto.

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items of furniture, e.g., for a dolls house.

The invention consists in a construction kit for toys or 2 FIG. 25represents in perspective a modified form of spacer component. Yr IFIGS. 26 and 27 represent sidesections in the planes .I-J and K Krespectively of FIG. 25.

FIG. 28 represents inperspective a rail component in accordance with theinvention.

models comprising unit components each having at least one substantiallyflat face, and on each of one or more substantially flat faces anupstanding projection suitable for engagement in a corresponding recessof another component when being assembled together in a toy or model.

Some components may be in the form of hollow cubes preferably open atone face. Other components may comprise flat sheets of material. On oneor more external face ofa cube component and/or on one or more selectedareas of a flat-' sheet component may be provided an upstandingprojection.

In the open end of a cubic component, and/or in one or more outer wallsurfaces of a cubic component, and/or in a flatsheet component, may beformed a hole or recess shaped and dimensioned to receive-a projectionof another component as a friction flt. A projection may be in the formof a shallow plinth upstanding from its supporting surface. When on theface of a cubic component this plinth may be of substantially the sameshape as the cube face, i.e., substantially square (but preferably withrounded corners) but of smaller dimensions,

located centrally of the cube face to form a stepped platform"surrounded by an annular area of the cut face. One or more other facesof the cube may be formed with one or more recesses of the same shape,to receive the plinthprojection of a'cooperating component. Flat-sheetcomponents may have fpjinth projections and/r recesses of similar sizeand shape. The components are preferably of modular form, i.e., indimensions of a selected unit or multiples thereof, to facilitateengagement and cooperation in various ways. Other grooved components maybe provided to allow components to be assembled in slidablerelationship, e.g., representing drawers, or slidable doors. I

I The invention will be clearly understood from the followingdescription of one form (given however, merely by way of ex.- ample)which it may assume, and this description will be more readily followedby reference to theaccompanying drawings wherein: I FIGS. 1-5 representin perspective five different flat-sheet components of a constructionkit in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 6 represents in perspective one form of cubic component of a kit inaccordance with the invention.

FIG. 7 and 8 represent side sectional views respectively in the planesA-A and 8-8 of FIG. 6. I

FIG. 9 represents another form of cubic component of a kit in accordancewith the invention.

' FIGS. 10 and 11 represent side sectional views respectively in the.planes C-C and D-D of FIG. 9. FIG. 12 represents in perspective anotherspacer component of a kit in accordance with the invention. FIGS. 13 and14 represent side sectional views respectively in the planes 5-H and F-Fof FIG. 12.

FIGS. 15 and 16 represent in perspective two forms of toy or model whichmay be built from components such as shown in FIGS. 1-14.

FIG. 17 represents in enlarged sectional view a modified detail whichmay be incorporated in components of a kit in accordance with theinvention.

FIG. 18 represents in perspective a modified form of flatsheet componentin accordance with the invention.

FIG. 19 represents a section along theline L-L of FIG. 18.

FIGS. 20 and 21 represent in plan and cross-sectional viewsrespectively, another modified form of flat-sheet component, the sectionof FIG. 21 being taken along the line M-M of FIG.

FIG. 29 represents a side section in the plane-N-N of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 represents in front view a hanger unit in accordance with theinvention.

In carrying the invention into effect in one convenient manner, as shownin FIGS. ll7 of the aforesaid drawings, a construction kit for toys ormodels may comprise different forms of flatsheet components such asshown in FIGS. l5. A complete kit may comprise a plurality of eachcomponent up to any desired number. Each of the components shown inFIGS. I3 comprises a flat rectangular base with rounded corners andupstanding projections. The components are of modular construction,i.e., dimensioned in a selected unit or multiples of the selected unit.In FIG. I the base 1 is of unit width and twice unit length: in FIG. 2the base 2 is of unit width and four-unit length: and in FIG. 3 the base3 is of twounit width and four-unit length. Other components of single,or selected multiple-unit dimensionsmay be adopted.

Each base 1, 2 or 3 has a plurality of upstanding projections 4. Eachprojection is on the form of a shallow square upstanding plinth orplatform, with rounded'corners, and each side 'is less than one unitlong, say three-quarters of a unit. These pro- 30 jections are locatedin equispaced positions on the respective bases so that each projectionis located centrally on an area of I such as 6, and is made of spongy orresilient material, e.g.,

foamed plastics material.

' A construction kit in accordance with the invention may also compriseany desired number of each of one or more cubic components of which twodifferent forms are shown in FIGS. 68 and FIGS. 9l1 respectively. Eachcomponent comprises a hollow cube 9 at one face 10, and of unit lengthalong each side. The component shown in FIGS. 6-8 has on each of any twoouter faces an upstanding projection substantially identical with theprojection 4 shown in FIGS. l3. In

the component illustrated in FIG. 6 these two projections are on twoneighboring faces each adjacent to the open mouth 10 of the cube. In thecomponent shown in FIGS. 9-11 only one face of the cube(in the formillustrated a face adjacent to the open mouth of the eube)is formed witha projection 12 similar to a projection 11. The remaining faces ofthecubes 9 are formed with a recess 13 of dimensions to-receive aprojection 4 or 11 or 12 as a friction fit, located centrally on thecube face. The projection 11, 12 and the recesses 13 allow components tobe fitted together face to face as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 7.

A spacer component 14 (of which any desired number may be included in akit in accordance with the invention) is illustrated in FIGS. l2l4. Thisis also of cubic formbut dimensioned to fit inside a cube 9, and ofabout half the depth of the inner space of a' cube 9. Beneath its basethe component 14 has a square projection 15 (similar to projection 11,12 of the cubes 9 suitable to fit into a recess 13 and the open mouth 16of the component 14 is dimensioned to receive a projection 15 as asliding or friction fit.

Examples of toys or models which may be built from the above-describedcomponents are illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16. As seen from FIG. 15 arepresentation of a chair can be formed by inserting one of theprojections 4 of a flat sheet as a slidable drawer in a cubic component(FIG. 14) this exface of the cube to form a seat behind which thecomponent I rises as the chair back.

A representation of a wardrobe. e.g., for a doll's house, is shown inFIG. I6. A component 2 (FIG. 2) forms a base. and on the upstandingprojections 4 at each end is mounted a column of four cubic components6, interengaged by their respective projections and recesses, with allthe open mouths of the cubes in the front of the column. Anothercomponent 2 forms the roof of the model, being invented so that its endprojections can be engaged in the recesses of the uppermost cubes 9 ofthe two columns. The apertures 6 of a component (FIG. 4) are fitted onto the middle projections 4 of the base 2, with the rail or bar 7 infront of the model. It will be noted that the rail 7 is connected to theflat sheet 5 to stand somewhat below the plane of the sheet, sothat'when the unit 5 is fitted to the base the rail is aligned with thefront edge of the base sheet 2. Another component 5, inverted, is fittedto the middle projections on the undersurface of the roof." so that adowntumed grooved rail 7 is also provided at the front edge of the root.Two components 3 (FIG. 3) are slidably inserted into the upper and lowerrails 7 from an end or each end, with their plane surfaces outside, andwhen so fitted these form slidable doors for the model wardrobe.

In the wardrobe model spacer components I4 (FIG. 12) may be fitted asdrawers. For this purpose the sidewalls of the components 14 may beformed or fitted with ribs 17 and one or both pairsof opposite internalor external walls of one or more cubic components 9 may be provided withslots 19 to be slidably engaged by the ribs 18 when the components 14are inserted .as drawers in the cubes 9. Since the spacer components 14are half the depth of a cube, two such units can be inserted one abovethe other, as drawers, in each cube. and slots 19 may be provided insuitable positions accordingly. At the same level as the side ribs I9 acomponent I4 may at its front and rear surfaces be formed with ratherthicker transverse bars 20, of which the rear bar serves as a stopagainst the inner cube wall to locate the drawer" therein, while theouter bar serves as a handle for the drawer.

The spacer components 14 may be used for other purposes. For example byplacing such a component on top of each of two-spaced cubes 9. andfitting on top a component 2 or 3 inverted, there is formed a tablelocated at a suitable height above the seat level of a chair such asshown in FIG. 15.

In FIGS. 18-29 of the drawings herewith are illustrated modified formsof components in accordance with the invention, which may be included ina construction kit.

FIGS. 18 and 19 represent a flat-sheet component formed with a base 1substantially identical with that shown in FIG. I, but in place of theupstanding plinth or platform projections 4 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4,there areprovided upwardly projecting ribs 23 of external shape anddimensions similar to those of projections 4. It will be noted from FIG.19 that the base 1 may be recessed on the underside, as at 24.

In a modified form of this component, shown in FIGS. 20

' and.2l, the base 1 is widened to have a strip zone extending from oneside, in which zone are fonned parallel slots 25.

' FIGS. 22, 23 and 24 illustrate a modified form of the cubic componentshown in FIGS. 6-8. Here also the plinth ll of FIGS. 6-8 is replaced byan upstanding square-shaped rib 26. Save that the comers of the blockare rounded or radiussed, as

' at 27, the component shown in FIGS. 22-24 is otherwise subjecting rib17 is widened, and grooved underneath, as at 29,

FIG. 27 or solid and ungrooved. When this component is used tendedgrooved rib projectsbeyon'd the handle or grip for the drawer. v

A rail" component shown in FIGS. 28 and 29 comprises a flat squaresheet30, with radiussed comers, recessed at 31, on

one side and having on the other side edge flanges 32 forming a dishedundersurface on the sheet. This surface may have grooves 33 at itssides, adjacent to the flanges 32. From midpoint of opposite sides ofthis sheet integral arms 34 project at right angles to the sheet, andterminate in T-shaped ends 35.

A hanger.component in accordance with the invention shown in FIG. 30comprises a rigid strip 36 longitudinally slotted at 37, and hooked at38 at each end, with a C-shaped supporting limb 39 attached to it tostand up above the midpoint at one side of the strip.

The components described above may be formed of any suitable material,e.g.,wood such as balsa wood, or moulded plastics, and in any desiredcolor or colors.' To hold components together reliance may be placedupon the friction and/or resilience of the interfitting projections andrecesses, but if desired (and especially for moulded components) theedges of the projections and recesses may be shaped to provide somedegree of interlocking, e.g., by providing a convex cylindrical edge 22for a projection 4, and a concave cylindrical edge in a recess 13, asshown in FIG. 17.

From the above description it will be seen that the invention provides auseful kit of components for toy or model building, e.g., for dollsfurniture, but it should be understood that the invention is not limitedsolely to the details of the form described above which may be modified,in order to meet various conditions and requirements encountered withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

I claim:

I. A construction kit for toys or models comprising a plurality of likehollow cubic components, each open at one, and only one, face, whileexternally on at least one other face is provided a projection of lessheight than the thickness of the component wall, and on each of theremaining faces is provided a shallow recess of depth substantiallyequal to the height of said projection, said projection and recessesbeing of common shape and size, in order that a projection of onecomponent may make frictional engagement with any recess of another likecomponent.

2. A construction kit according to claim 1 wherein one face of saidcomponent is provided with a projection, and each of the remaining faceswith a recess. I

3. A construction kit according to claim 1 wherein two faces of acomponent are provided with said projections and each of the remainingthree faces with a recess.

cubic component as a 4. A construction kit according to claim 1 whereintwo adjacent faces are provided with said projections.

5. A construction kit according to claim 1 wherein each of saidprojections comprises a substantially square plinth upstanding from acomponent face.

6. A construction kit according to claim 1 wherein the edges of saidprojections and said recesses are shaped for interlocking.

7. A construction kit according to claim 1 wherein each of saidprojections comprises a substantially square rib upstanding from acomponent face.

8. A construction kit according to claim 1 comprising a plurality ofadditional components each comprising a half-cube shaped and dimensionedfor sliding fit into any one of said cubic components.

9. A construction kit according to claim 1 wherein each cubic componentis provided internally with slots extending substantially perpendicularto the plane of the open face of the component, said kit comprising aplurality of additional components each of half-cubic shape, dimensionedfor sliding fit into a cubic component, and having at two opposite sidesprojecting ribs adapted to engage slidably in said internal slots ofsaid cubic components.

l0. A'construction kit according to claim 1 comprising an additicnalcomponent in the form of a substantially flat sheet provided withupstanding projections on one face each shaped and; dimensioned forfrictional engagement in a recess of a cubic member, and slotted guidemeans integral with, and extending along one side of, said sheet.

13. A construction kit-according to claim 1 comprising an additionalcomponent in the form of a substantially square flat sheet formed on itsupper face with a recess, shaped and dimensioned for frictionalengagement with a projection of a cubic component, and having rigidintegral legs on opposite edges of said sheet, downwards from theundersurface of said sheet and substantially perpendicular to the planeof the sheet.

14. A construction kit according to claim I wherein the components aremoulded from plastics material having some degree of resilience toassist releasable functional interlocking of components.

1. A construction kit for toys or models comprising a plurality of likehollow cubic components, each open at one, and only one, face, whileexternally on at least one other face is provided a projection of lessheight than the thickness of the component wall, and on each of theremaining faces is provided a shallow recess of dEpth substantiallyequal to the height of said projection, said projection and recessesbeing of common shape and size, in order that a projection of onecomponent may make frictional engagement with any recess of another likecomponent.
 2. A construction kit according to claim 1 wherein one faceof said component is provided with a projection, and each of theremaining faces with a recess.
 3. A construction kit according to claim1 wherein two faces of a component are provided with said projectionsand each of the remaining three faces with a recess.
 4. A constructionkit according to claim 1 wherein two adjacent faces are provided withsaid projections.
 5. A construction kit according to claim 1 whereineach of said projections comprises a substantially square plinthupstanding from a component face.
 6. A construction kit according toclaim 1 wherein the edges of said projections and said recesses areshaped for interlocking.
 7. A construction kit according to claim 1wherein each of said projections comprises a substantially square ribupstanding from a component face.
 8. A construction kit according toclaim 1 comprising a plurality of additional components each comprisinga half-cube shaped and dimensioned for sliding fit into any one of saidcubic components.
 9. A construction kit according to claim 1 whereineach cubic component is provided internally with slots extendingsubstantially perpendicular to the plane of the open face of thecomponent, said kit comprising a plurality of additional components eachof half-cubic shape, dimensioned for sliding fit into a cubic component,and having at two opposite sides projecting ribs adapted to engageslidably in said internal slots of said cubic components.
 10. Aconstruction kit according to claim 1 comprising an additional componentin the form of a substantially flat sheet provided with upstandingprojections on one face each shaped and dimensioned for frictionalengagement in a recess of a cubic component.
 11. A construction kitaccording to claim 1 comprising an additional component in the form of asubstantially flat rectangular sheet provided with recesses each shapedand dimensioned for frictional engagement with a projection of a cubicmember.
 12. A construction kit according to claim 1 comprising anadditional component in the form of a substantially flat rectangularsheet provided with recesses each shaped and dimensioned for frictionalengagement with a projection of a cubic member, and slotted guide meansintegral with, and extending along one side of, said sheet.
 13. Aconstruction kit according to claim 1 comprising an additional componentin the form of a substantially square flat sheet formed on its upperface with a recess shaped and dimensioned for frictional engagement witha projection of a cubic component, and having rigid integral legs onopposite edges of said sheet, downwards from the undersurface of saidsheet and substantially perpendicular to the plane of the sheet.
 14. Aconstruction kit according to claim 1 wherein the components are mouldedfrom plastics material having some degree of resilience to assistreleasable functional interlocking of components.